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Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Ministry of Panchayati RajactivegeneralLaunched: 2018-04-24

About the Scheme

RGSA strengthens Gram Panchayats (GPs) to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through capacity building, training, and infrastructure. Budget FY2022-26: ₹5,911 crore. 9 Themes of Localisation of SDGs through GPs. Trains elected representatives, panchayat functionaries in governance, financial management, technology.

Target Beneficiaries: 3 lakh+ Gram Panchayats; 30 lakh+ elected panchayat representatives; 6.4 lakh villages

Implementing Agency: Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, in collaboration with State Panchayati Raj Departments

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • ₹5,911 crore for 2022-26; capacity building of all 2.5 lakh GPs
  • 9 Themes of Localisation of SDGs: poverty-free, healthy, child-friendly, water-sufficient, clean, self-sufficient, women-friendly, social justice, safe
  • Training elected panchayat representatives in governance and financial management
  • e-Gram Swaraj portal: unified digital platform for GP planning and accounting
  • Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for all GPs
  • Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Portal integrates with GeM, DigiLocker for procurement
  • National Panchayat Awards for best performing GPs

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • All Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the Village, Intermediate, and District levels.
  • Elected representatives and functionaries of all tiers of PRIs.
  • State Panchayati Raj Departments and related training institutions.
  • Gram Sabha members for participation in local planning and decision-making.

★Benefits

  • Improved service delivery and effective local governance at the grassroots level.
  • Enhanced capacity for decentralized planning, implementation, and monitoring of rural development schemes.
  • Increased transparency and accountability in local administration through e-governance initiatives.
  • Empowerment of women and marginalized sections through enhanced participation in PRIs.
  • Better achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.

▶Application Process

  • States/UTs prepare Annual Action Plans (AAPs) based on local needs and priorities.
  • AAPs are submitted to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for appraisal and approval.
  • Funds are released to State/UT Panchayati Raj Departments as per the approved plans.
  • States/UTs implement the approved activities through their PRIs and State Rural Development/Panchayati Raj Institutes.
  • Regular monitoring and evaluation of scheme implementation are conducted by central and state agencies.

₹ Budget Allocation

5911

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (General States), 90:10 (NE/Hilly States), 100% (UTs)

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS2

Prelims Relevance7%
Mains Relevance8%

Syllabus Tags

Panchayati RajRural GovernanceSDGsDecentralizationGS2

Historical Context

Initially launched in 2018-19 after subsuming the erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA); revamped in 2022 to focus on SDGs.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are not covered
  • States/UTs that have not constituted Panchayats as per Part IX of the Constitution (unless exempted)

Sub-Schemes

e-Panchayat

Technology-driven monitoring and accounting for Panchayats.

Challenges

  • Low digital literacy among Gram Panchayat members hindering e-Gram Swaraj adoption
  • Over-reliance on Central/State grants with minimal Own Source Revenue (OSR) generation by Panchayats
  • Inadequate technical staff at the block and panchayat level for infrastructure projects
  • Gender-tokenism where 'Sarpanch-Pati' culture undermines the training provided to women representatives

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Integration of AI-based chatbots for instant guidance to Sarpanches
  • Mandatory social audit of training outcomes rather than just output (number of people trained)
  • Linking funding to OSR (Own Source Revenue) generation performance

Performance Statistics

Metric

1.32 Million

Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj Annual Report

Metric

Over 2.5 Lakh

Source: PIB

Critical Analysis

The revamped RGSA (2022-26) marks a paradigm shift from basic administrative capacity building to 'Localisation of SDGs' (LSDG). By focusing on 9 specific themes, it attempts to bridge the gap between global goals and local action. However, the scheme's efficacy is often bottlenecked by the 'functional mapping' failure in many states, where devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries (3Fs) remains incomplete. While it empowers elected representatives, the high turnover of these representatives every five years necessitates a continuous, and often repetitive, training cycle which strains resources.

SDG Linkages

SDG 1 (No Poverty)SDG 3 (Good Health)SDG 5 (Gender Equality)SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

Constitutional Backing

Article 243G (Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats)Part IX of the Constitution (The Panchayats)11th Schedule (29 Functional Items)

Technology Used

e-GramSwaraj PortalAuditOnlineBhuvan Panchayat (ISRO Geoportal)

Success Stories

Palli Panchayat Carbon Neutral Model

Key Takeaways

  • Focus on 9 themes including Poverty Free, Healthy, and Women Friendly villages
  • Emphasis on 'E-Panchayat' to promote transparency
  • Incentivization of Panchayats through National Panchayat Awards

Probable Questions

The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) has transitioned from mere administrative training to a goal-oriented framework for Localisation of SDGs. Examine.

MediumHigh

Mains Answer Fodder

RGSA is the bedrock of 'Vibrant Gram Sabhas'. It aligns with the 15th Finance Commission recommendations for untied grants to RLBs. Keywords: 3Ps (Preparation, Performance, Productivity), Grassroots Democracy, Bottom-up Planning, LSDG 9 Themes, Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). Use in answers regarding Article 243G and democratic decentralization.

Convergence Schemes

  • e-Gram Swaraj
  • SVAMITVA Scheme
  • Mission Antyodaya
  • Jal Jeevan Mission

Sector Tags

Rural DevelopmentGovernancePanchayati Raj